Pastor Faith Oyedepo: Love & Marriage (4)

Topic: Love & Marriage (4)

Dear Reader,

You are welcome to the last teaching of this month. I know you have been following the series; as you take practical steps to obey the Word of God coming your way, your marriage shall continue to experience newness in Jesus’ precious name!

For the past few weeks, we have been looking at love and marriage. We have seen God’s involvement in the marriage institution and love as the first principle of marriage, how that love must be expressed, not only in thoughts and words, but also in deeds.

In conclusion this week, I will be showing you some of the ways you can increase your love for your spouse.

Communicate effectively

Effective communication is the basis for a fruitful and lasting relationship. Lack of communication or inadequate communication is the reason for so much tension in many marriages and homes. Communication can be said to be what cements a marital relationship.  A wise man said, “If you talk together, you stay together.” I believe it is very true, because marriage is about living together.

Spend time together alone

How we spend our time reveals what is really important to us. Successful couples spend time together. They pray and read the Bible together.

Touch each other

Great couples touch each other. They hug, embrace, pat, hold hands, put arms around each other, and endeavour to sit close enough to touch, when sitting anywhere together.

Encourage each other with words

Encouragement is the food of the soul. We all need to be lifted up when we are down, but successful couples go another step further; they create a positive environment. They are truthful to each other, at every opportunity. They try to catch each other doing good things “right.”

Unconditionally accept each other

Unconditional love and acceptance form a crucial foundation in successful marriages. Happy couples don’t feel like they have to do anything extra to be loved. They don’t feel like they will be rejected, if they don’t meet a set standard. Jesus accepts us just as we are, and such is expected of couples to enjoy the benefits of marriage.

Be committed to each other

The word “divorce” is not uttered, no matter how upset one becomes. They have an agreement on how to “fight fair” under peaceful conditions. They try to let the little irritations go. They make an active commitment to want the best for their spouse, to help him or her grow as a person. They learn to quickly give and receive forgiveness.

Laugh with each other

An antidote for boredom in marriage is lively humour. If your spouse tells a joke, laugh, even if it’s not so funny to others – that’s not pretence as others may view it. Look at the funny side of life – it will help you enjoy life more.

Make each other your top priority

After God, make each other your top priority. Don’t let anyone, not even your children or parents; come between you and your spouse. Think of him/her first before anyone else.

Be each other’s best friend

Happy couples spend time together as friends. They share secrets with each other. They enjoy each other’s company. They realise the value of their togetherness. Don’t forget couples are “one flesh.”

To effectively be a doer of the teaching series of this month, you need grace. This can only be accessed by the children of God. You become a child of God by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour.  If you are set for this new birth experience, please say this prayer in faith:  Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.